Surgical operations are often recommended by many medical professionals to achieve palliation, restoration, or any other treatment goal for certain patients. And while achieving such goals are important in order to improve the patient’s quality of life, pain management after the operation must also be a major consideration.

In a particular study, it has been found that about half the total number of post- operative patients experience chronic pain which can further result in depression and anxiety, reduced productivity, and decreased self-esteem.

Unfortunately though, efforts in completely eliminating post-operative pain cannot be fully realized as outcomes are generally limited to reducing — not eradicating the pain. Nevertheless, competent health care professionals should be able to make life as normal as can be for the patient after the operation.

There are currently a number of approaches in pain reduction, and these are the following:

1. Drug administration

– Anti-pain medication therapy is perhaps one of the most common and the easiest way to counter post-operative pain. These include the administration of opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), local and regional anesthetics, and centrally acting non-opioids. Each of these drug classes are used to address specific types of pain and are administered orally or intravenously.

2. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

– By the power of gate control theory, endogenous opiates, and central inhibitory effect, this method is thought to effectively relieve post-surgical pain and even pain from sustained injuries. The technique involves using low-level electrical charges which is applied on the area afflicted with pain. Such low-level electricity is produced by a small, battery-powered device that works when its wired electrodes are attached to the skin near the region of pain.

3. Acupuncture

– This alternative type of pain relief method is used for chronic pain particularly low back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and tennis elbow. Acupoints?, according to scientists, have special electrical characteristics that can be managed with the use of ultra-thin needles. These are painless and are said to aid greatly in relieving local pain and swelling. In the process, the release of the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins) is said to facilitate the process of relieving pain, as well as giving the person a sense of well-being and relaxation. The entire procedure usually lasts for half an hour.

4. Psychological techniques

– Among the most common psychological method are guided imagery, relaxation techniques, and medical hypnosis. Several research studies have already proven the effectiveness of these methods in facilitating post-surgical recovery affecting both the physical and emotional aspects.

5. Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)

– Designed to reduce, if not eliminate stiffness and improve range of motion, this method aims to make a person move his joints without exerting any effort. Instead, a CPM machine is utilized to complete the movements as necessary. This method addresses post-surgical pain related to immobility, and is the best treatment option for cartilage damage, joint fractures after having installed devices into it, and bacterial infection around joints. CPM is most effective two to seven days post surgery, running for around four to six hours per session.

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Cedric Loiselle is a highly talented writer providing quality articles for a wide range of niches including health and fitness. If you or someone you know is suffering from pain, Loiselle highly recommends you acquire the services of Eric Royster MD under Integrated Pain and Neuroscience.